35mm vs 55mm lens for Nikon D60

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turb0

Gawd
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Aug 20, 2004
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We have a slightly older DSLR but it still takes amazing pictures. however we only have 2 lenses in the bag at the moment. The stock 18-55 and a 55-200 for when the kids are playing sports and/or performing on stage.

Looking to upgrade to a more grab and go lens to snap street/family shots and get a little more control over my shots.

Is one better than the other? We are pure amateurs but looking to get a little more use out of our Camera now that the kids are getting a little more active with extra curricular activities.

Also, I see a few different options for 1.8D and 1.8G. what makes a difference with the letter? just a version thing or does it really matter.
 
Go with the 35mm on your crop-frame DSLR; the 55mm will be more like an 82mm on this camera - only good for portraits and other short telephoto applications.

The 35mm will be more of a classic normal view on the crop-frame (closer to the classic 50mm on full-frame). Depending on what you're shooting, I actually find even wider to be a more comfortable walk-around lens for me. I use a 24mm lens most of the time on my D90 (more like 36mm on crop). But yeah, I'd stick with 35mm for this purchase - the new AF-S model would be the one you want. This one:
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-35mm-1-8G-Digital-Cameras/dp/B001S2PPT0/
 
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You have an 18-55mm lens.

I would suggest putting on that lens, shooting for a day at 55mm and see how you like it. Then moving it to 35mm, and shooting at that for a day and see how you like it (more tricky since it's in the middle of the zoom range).

This will do two things, it will probably let you know which focal length is more to your preference and/or more versatile for your shooting style and it will start to train you to "zoom with your feet".

In an ideal and perfect world, you'd simply just buy both lenses, barring that I think testing and figuring out which focal length would be best for you is the second best option.
 
I'd recommend the 35mm as well. I owned a 35mm 1.8, 50mm 1.4 and a 18-200mm when I had my D90 and found practically no use for the 50mm; it was too long for taking indoor shots of anything other than a single subject and outdoors, the benefits of the faster aperture were no longer necessary and ended up using the tele instead.

The 35mm was kind of the middle ground; not too wide as to lose too much DOF and not so long that it had you running out of space to back up.

However, if you do plan on going full frame in the near future, the 50mm can be used on a FF sensor and will fill the same role as the 35mm does for APS-C cameras.
 
^The price of the 35mm and 50mm shouldn't really be a factor for anyone planning an upgrade to FF. A $300 is pocket change in a grand scheme of things.

I'm with Souljer on suggesting using your 18-55 for a day at 35 and again at 50 to see which one you like. Heck, try 20mm too one day, and see how you like it. Nikon released a 20/1.8, though it's a bit more pricey than either 35 or 50 (but it is FF lens, just like the 50). madFive would probably love this lens on his crop camera ;) Actually.. now that I brought it up, I do wonder how it stacks up against the 24. Time will tell, when the lens hits the market.
 
Yeah, it's very good idea to try different lengths on your 18-55, set it and leave it all day to see what length you really like shooting at.

northrop said:
Nikon released a 20/1.8, though it's a bit more pricey than either 35 or 50 (but it is FF lens, just like the 50). madFive would probably love this lens on his crop camera ;) Actually.. now that I brought it up, I do wonder how it stacks up against the 24. Time will tell, when the lens hits the market.
Click to expand...

I know! That is exactly my plan actually. :D
I'm planning to pick up a D750 early next year and finally make the jump to FF.
In preparation, I'm planning to sell off my 10.5/2.8 and 24/2.8, and get that nice fast 20/1.8 to cover my wide end. So yeah, I'll be shooting the 20mm on crop for a couple months 'till I get the new body. Should be interesting.

If anyone is interested in a 24/2.8 or 10.5/2.8, hit me up! I really want to pick up that 20/1.8 asap before they decide to hike up the price (like they have several times in the past)!
I'll probably post in FS/FT some time in the next few weeks.
 
Great minds think alike ;)

And D750 looks like a very well balanced camera body. Looking forward to next year to see what you can do with it :D
 
Souljer and your'alls idea on using the 18-55mm to get an idea is simply genius! It's such a simple concept I can't believe I didn't even think about that in the first place!!!

I'll look at testing that out this weekend with Halloween and a Fall Festival we are doing and see what I feel comfortable with.

Also, now that you bring up the possibility of a 24mm...... ah hell.... I might be in trouble here real soon!!! I already have a huge problem with buying guitar pedals.... now this!
 
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